MIDDLESEX’S HANDSCOMB DEAL PUT ON HOLD
MIDDLESEX’S AUSSIE CAPTAIN SAYS IT’S A MATTER OF WAIT AND SEE AS CLUB FURLOUGHS STAFF AND ECB LOOKS TO RESTRUCTURE CRICKET SEASON
MIDDLESEX captain Peter Handscomb has called the delay to the English domestic season a “shame”, saying Australians benefit greatly from playing county cricket.
The 28-year-old batsman was due to lead the Division Two side during the English summer after signing a two-year deal, but Covid-19 has delayed the start of the season until at least July 1.
Handscomb was one of a number of Australians due to play in England over the summer, along with Nathan Lyon at Hampshire, while Michael Neser’s Surrey deal was cancelled following the difficulties caused by the pandemic.
Speaking at an online press conference, he said: “It’s a shame to not be able to go over there and play.
“Australians love going over there, to England, to play county cricket because it’s a way of developing our game and making ourselves better and understanding different conditions as well.
“That’s a shame, but there’s obviously a bigger picture at play here, the health and safety of the world is much more important.”
He added his deal with Middlesex was “on hold”, and had been talking to his county team-mates each week.
“I’ve obviously got next year as well, but this year we’re just playing it by ear,” he said.
The England and Wales Cricket Board initially delayed the 2020 campaign until May 28, but the continued effect of the coronavirus pandemic ensured further action was necessary at a board meeting held via teleconference last Thursday (April 23).
A decision was made to extend the hiatus by more than a month, with senior international fixtures now affected and the number of lost
County Championship rounds going from seven to nine.
The inaugural edition of The Hundred was discussed and, while it now seems virtually impossible that it will go ahead this summer, the matter was due to be debated in greater depth in a dedicated session of the board on Wednesday.
The Vitality Blast has been given priority among domestic competitions and will be allowed the latest possible slot in the calendar to give it the best chance of taking place, but there is a commitment to allowing for some red-ball matches if practical. The end of the season has been pushed to the end of September to allow more room.
In a sign of the ongoing challenges being faced by the sport, Middlesex confirmed they have become the latest club to furlough players and instigate pay cuts.
The full playing squad, joined by members of the support staff, coaching team and administrative workers have been stood down in line with the government’s coronavirus job retention scheme.
Additionally, all employees earning more than £27,500 have agreed a 17 per cent pay cut for the next two months, with senior management taking a 20 per cent hit.
“We are operating in unprecedented times,” said chief executive Richard Goatley.
“We have to make difficult decisions that not only protect the future of Middlesex Cricket but the jobs of our employees.”
“For all staff to agree voluntarily to a significant salary reduction for the next two months is testament to how invested they are in Middlesex Cricket and committed to helping the club through this crisis.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone across the club for their understanding in these difficult times.”